Ostrea (Alectryona) carinata fossil clam from Cretaceous of France

Description

Well preserved large fossil clam Ostrea (Alectryona) carinata. Complete specimen with both shells intact. Lots of detail and with spikes showing. The specimen here measures 11.2 cm or 4.3 inches. That includes measuring the bend.

Ostrea carinata appeares and there seems to be an ongoing debate under many different genus names. It is called ostrea carinata, Rastellum carinatum, Lopha carinata, Arcostrea, and lately also Alectryona.

The question is the fact that most of these Oysters have no spines and only few of them have spines. Could it be a evolutionary trend or could it be explained with sexual dimorhism. Oysters as Bivalves are born males and change at a late stage into females (hermaphroditism).

Some information about this species can be found here:                                  https://www.cretaceousatlas.org/species/ostrea-carinata/

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Additional information